Definition

A. This class includes methods and apparatus (1) for analyzing light to measure or test its characteristics, such as intensity, color and polarization; (2) for determining the optical or nonoptical properties of materials or articles by noting, as by inspection, measurement, or test the effect produced by the materials or articles on light associated therewith; and (3) for measuring the dimensions of structures or the spatial relationships such as distances or angle bearings of spaced points by comparison of the respective properties (usually direction or spatial position) of the light from these points or by comparison of the properties of these lights with some scale or standard. The light analyzing includes or is for spectroscopy, interference, polarization, beam direction or pattern, focal position of a light source, shade or color, and photometers. The material or article properties determined are or involve crystal or gem examination, material strain analysis, blood analysis, optical pyrometers, egg candling, cutting blade sharpness, oil testing, document verification, flatness, lens or reflector testing, refraction testing, monitoring moving webs or fabrics, light transmission or absorption, light reflection, inspection for flaws or imperfections in materials, and thread counting.

The dimensioning and spatial relationship determination includes triangulation by a light beam, contour plotting, range or height finders, motion stopping, velocity or velocity/height measuring, sighting where the optical element or reticle moves with the sighted object, particle size determination, particle light scattering, electrophoresis, angle measuring or axial alignment, mensuration or configuration comparison, alignment in a lateral direction, and fiducial instruments.

B. Included also are apparatus and methods to facilitate the viewing of structure as for flaws and imperfections. The structure is usually optically significant such as transparent sheets or bottles or semi-transparent cloth; or the structure is inaccessible as a bore requiring a bore scope. Included also are methods and structure for preparing the sample for an optical test, and optical test standards.

C. Included also are apparatus and methods involving a plurality of measurements or tests each within the scope of this class; and also included are a measurement or test within the scope of this class together with a measurement or test or other art structure provided, per se, elsewhere, but where no provision for the combination is made elsewhere.

Lines with other classes and within this class

A. OPTICAL MEASURING OR TESTING CLASSIFIED ELSEWHERE

Class 33 provides for optical measurements of the light ray type within the scope of this class. See "Geometrical Instruments in This Class and in Class 33," section C, below, for the subject matter placed in Class 33 and Class 356. Class 73 includes optical measuring and testing within the scope of its subclasses. See "Measuring and Testing in This Class and Class 73," section D, below, for the line between Class 73 and Class 356. Signal and indicating apparatus which may involve optics are classified elsewhere. See, for example, temperature, radiant energy, smoke, or gas indicators. Surgical diagnostic instruments which may involve optical measuring or testing on or in the body are elsewhere. Television systems for measuring and testing which may include optical elements are classified elsewhere. Photocells and associated circuitry together with optical structure which may involve measuring or testing are classified elsewhere. However, this Class 356 includes optical testing with a photoelectric light detector and usually claiming either an indicator or structure to support or contain the specimen or sample under test. Lamp and discharge device testing is classified elsewhere. Eye examining and testing instruments which may include optical measuring or testing are elsewhere. (See Subclass References to the Current Class and References to Other Classes, below, for subclass references of subject matter above.)

B. TESTING AND MEASURING SUBCOMBINATIONS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE

Optical elements which may be used in measuring and testing apparatus are classified elsewhere as are the conventional optical elements such as lenses, prisms, and mirrors. Subclasses relating to scale or indicia reading should be particularly noted. Photocell circuits and apparatus are elsewhere. Photo-sensitive discharge devices are classified elsewhere. Mechanical scales and gauges which may be part of optical measuring systems are elsewhere. Mechanical indicators which may be part of optical measuring systems classified elsewhere. Electrical indicating and measuring devices which may be part of optical measuring systems are classified elsewhere. (See References to Other Classes, below, for class/subclass references to these art areas.)

(1) Note. Telemetric signaling means useful in transmitting a measured quantity, not limited to any particular measuring instrument provided for in other classes, is classified elsewhere, while Class 356 takes such telemetric signaling means in combination with a particular measuring means of the type provided for in Class 356. (See References to Other Classes, below.) C. GEOMETRICAL INSTRUMENTS IN THIS CLASS AND IN CLASS 33 This Class (356) provides for measuring devices which are used for determining spatial relationships, and which involve the establishment of an optical axis between the observer"s station and a remote point and which include significant optical structure. This includes certain types of range-finders, angle or azimuth measuring instruments and velocity measuring devices as qualified below. In this subject matter the recitation of specific optical details such as lens, prism, or mirror details is sufficient for classification in this Class 356. Exceptions which remain in Class 33 are bomb sights with specific optical line sighting instruments with a telescope or microscope recited even in some detail, and as a viewing aid to but not a part of the sighting instrument. Also where a plurality of optical functions are recited as, for example, plural reflections of a line of sight, classification is in this Class 356. Where optic is only recited broadly as, for example, "an optical axis", a "telescope", or a "deflection of the line of sight", the subject matter is generally classified in Class 33, as opposed to Class 356. Also included in this Class 356 are instruments for visual sighting which in addition to having a field of view, perform an aiming or alignment function or establish a line of sight by means of an artificial reference and which include significant optical structure. The geometrical instruments of this Class 356 usually either involve the determination of the direction of a point remote from an observer with respect to some reference direction where the two directions may be viewed and compared simultaneously; or the determination of the relative direction of two points remote from an observer where the two directions may be viewed and compared simultaneously. Optical structure is usually provided to facilitate this simultaneous viewing. The subject matter of Class 33 relates more to the direction determination by aiming an instrument on a point and later noting the direction of the aimed instrument with respect to some reference such as a level, compass, or other point. A mere single deflection of a line of sight as by a mirror or lens to facilitate the viewing is not precluded from Class 33. In the mensuration or figure comparison, the patents in this Class 356 include structure to facilitate the viewing (usually simultaneously) of the specimens, or configurations to be compared with other specimens or configurations or with scales, masters, or patterns. A single sight line optical instrument such as a transit with structure for indicating the direction is classified in Class 33. However where such an instrument includes a sighting mark or scale at an optically critical position such as in the focal plane classification is in Class 356. Comparison instruments which merge the rays from diverse directions for common viewing as in a split image range finder are classified in Class 356. However plural sighting instruments which merely aim on angularly separated points (even simultaneously) with mechanical reading of the directions are classified in Class 33. Space measuring instruments whose operation is essentially optical such as optical interferometers are classified in Class 356 as opposed to Class 33. Reticles and cross hairs generally are classified in Class 33. However, optical reticles which reflect or refract light are classified in Class 356. D. MEASURING AND TESTING IN THIS CLASS AND CLASS 73 This Class (356) provides for optical measuring and testing as defined above. Class 73 provides for measuring and testing which may include optical measuring and testing as defined, combined with some nonoptical limitations beyond the scope of this Class 356 and specifically provided for in Class 73. Specific provision exists in Class 73 when the measurement or test is of the type provided for by the subclasses of Class 73 definitions. For example, Class 73 provides for gas chromatography involving color determination of the Class 356 type together with some manipulation of the gas beyond the scope of Class 356. Again Class 73 provides for engine testing involving optical tests of the Class 356 type together with some mechanical manipulation of the parts beyond the scope of Class 356. In general Class 73 provides for measuring and testing of the type indicated by its subclass titles and definitions which may include optical steps together with other mechanical measuring and testing steps beyond the scope of Class 356. There are some patents presently in Class 73 which relate to measuring and testing as there provided, but which claim only optical subject matter within the scope of Class 356. Combinations of optical measuring or testing with other structure or methods is classified in Class 356 if no provision for such combinations exists elsewhere. (See References to Other Classes, below.) An exception to the above involves cutting blade sharpness testing where Class 356 provides for the optical type with the remainder in Class 73. Another exception involves stress analysis where Class 356 provides for the optical type absent intentional loading of the specimen. The remainder is classified in Class 73, particularly for optical stress analysis with intentional loading of the specimen. (See Subclass References to the Current Class and References to Other Classes, below.) E. NONVISIBLE RADIATION This class is restricted to measuring and testing involving visible light. However where the measuring or testing involves infrared or ultraviolet radiation with apparatus optical in nature and nothing peculiar to such infra red and ultra violet radiation, classification is in this class. For example, optical equipment where the radiation was claimed as ultraviolet or infra red would be classified in this class, especially methods and apparatus for the inspection of solid or liquids by charged particles and invisible radiation responsive electric signalling methods and apparatus. See also THERMOCOUPLES AND BOLOMETERS, below. (See Subclass References to the Current Class, below.) F. FLUORESCENCE AND PHOSPHORESCENCE TESTING The examination of fluorescent and phosphorescent material or organisms to determine their fluorescent or phosphorescent properties or the examination of invisible energy including ultraviolet light by subjecting fluorescent or phosphorescent material to invisible radiation is classified elsewhere even though the fluorescent or phosphorescent radiation is in the visible light range and the intensity and the frequency of the fluorescent or phosphorescent light is examined. Methods of determining oil presence, contamination or concentration, methods and apparatus using luminophor test material or a luminophor detector in combination with an electric signalling device responsive to the light emitted by the luminophor, methods and apparatus to irradiate a luminophor and luminscent devices, per se, are classified elsewhere. (See References to Other Classes, below.) Fluorescent or phosphorescent apparatus used as a visible light standard and claimed as part of a visible light testing apparatus as of a comparator type and which is basic subject matter of Class 356 is classified in Class 356. The examination of the visible light, per se, emitted by fluorescent or phosphorescent materials would be classified in Class 356 when the fluorescent or phosphorescent materials or source producing the visible light is not included in the claims. G. LASERS AND RESONANCE RADIATION The testing with optical apparatus of a laser beam for the intensity or frequency of the visible light, per se, emitted by the laser is in Class 356 (see Subclass References to the Current Class, below). However, lasers and similar devices when they function as an amplifier of light in the visible range and laser modulator, per se, are classified elsewhere. For optical elements which control light intensity or direction on a molecular level, see classification elsewhere; for modulation involving polarized light and for light control by altering an optical medium or surface see elsewhere. Coherent light generators, per se, are classified elsewhere. H. THERMOCOUPLES AND BOLOMETERS Where the intensity or the frequency of invisible radiation is determined by means of a thermal detector, classification is elsewhere. Where the intensity or the frequency of visible light radiation is determined by means of a thermal detector, classification is in Class 356. Where the total energy or power in a beam of radiation is measured by a thermal detector classification is elsewhere; and where thermally emitted radiation is measured to determine the temperature of the emitting source, classification is also elsewhere, except where the radiation is limited to light, where the classification is in Class 356. (See Subclass References to the Current Class and References to Other Classes, below.) I. BURNING Although the burning of a combustible material is a chemical reaction, the combination of the burning of combustible material for visible light examination purposes with visible light analyzing structures of this class is in this Class 356. See References to Other Classes, below for "Combustion" and for all combustion reactions not provided for elsewhere. See also Subclass References to the Current Class, below. (See References to Other Classes, below.) J. COUNTING Claims to the counting of discrete particles such as blood particles, bacteria colonies, or dust particles, one at a time by numerical counting apparatus which registers the counts corresponding to the respective particles will be found elsewhere. However, the visual counting with a scale or spacer to aid the eye is classified in this Class (356). Claims to the sizing and counting of particles such as blood particles, bacteria colonies, or dust particles, one at a time by numerical counting apparatus will be found elsewhere. The counting of undulations by means of visible light or indeterminate length material such as a web of fabric or threads, per se, for testing the weave of the web for evenness, or the thread for unevenness, or for flaws, or for optical properties or physical dimensions where the measurement is affected only by the variations of the light caused by the web or thread will be in Class 356 rather than elsewhere. The counting of particles with visible light by statistical analysis procedures instead of a one by one numerical particle count as elsewhere will be in Class 356. The sizing and counting of particles with visible light by statistical analysis procedures instead of a one by one numerical particle count as elsewhere will be in Class 356. The counting or the sizing and counting of particles with visible light by statistical methods in Class 356 involves for example, polarized light, light scattering, color testing, and reflective diffusion of light. Where a microscope is utilized to count particles, one by one, such as blood particles or bacteria colonies, see elsewhere. Where an optical element such as a lens for magnification is used in combination with a support for counting bacteria colonies, or particles such as dust see classification elsewhere for one by one counting. Where no optical element is utilized and only a support is used see this Class (356). Where a microscope having a graticule rather than a cross hair or a reticle is used to count particles one by one see this class (356). See this class (356) for supports for bacteria counters where only a light and a support for the one by one count is involved. (See Subclass References to the Current Class and References to Other Classes, below.) K. READING AND RECORDING The combination of an optical test of this class with a qualitative or quantitative marker or recorder is in this class. Class 356 provides for the reading visually of the information or data cards where not elsewhere provided. Pattern or character recognition of a document or a record is classified elsewhere. Where the document analysis or verification is limited to the intrinsic properties of the record, classification is in Class 356. Systems controlled by a record and code record sensors, respectfully, are classified elsewhere. Apparatus to check hole type cards for errors in the punching or in the sorting of cards where the error check equipment is not part of a business machine is classified elsewhere. (See Subclass References to the Current Class and References to Other Classes, below.)